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Wilder continues rise through world rankings

In this Aug. 4, 2012 file photo, Deontay Wilder fights Kerston Manswell of Trinidad and Tobago in a heavyweight bout at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile. Wilder broke into the top 10 of the World Boxing Association's heavyweight rankings, coming in at No. 9 in the organization's recently released monthly rankings.

Michael Chang | Tuscaloosa News

By Aaron SuttlesSports Writer

Published: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 4:20 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 4:20 p.m.

Judging by his talent alone, it was only a matter of time. That time is now.

Tuscaloosa heavyweight boxer Deontay "Bronze Bomber" Wilder broke into the top 10 of the World Boxing Association's heavyweight rankings, coming in at No. 9 in the organization's recently released monthly rankings.

Wilder's jump in the rankings is largely because of his third-round knockout win over previously unbeaten Kelvin Price for the WBC Continental Americans heavyweight title in December. Wilder is 27-0.

The 6-foot-7, 225-pounder's most recent win came in a knockout against Matthew Greer in the second round Jan. 19 in Mexico.

"Things are going according to plan, most definitely," Wilder said. "Coming in ranked No. 9 in the world is a big deal for me. It symbolizes success. Again, it symbolized growth in my career and where I'm going. The train is finally rolling. We've been waiting on this for a long time.

"The plan is to fight for a title this year. This ranking allows me to do that. If everything goes as we have planned, I'll be fighting for a title by the end of the year. Once you're in the top 10, you can declare war. The main thing is that we're in the door. We're definitely where we want to be at."

"It's just a continuation of what we've been working on since the beginning," Deas said. "It's not the end of the road, but it puts us in a position to get the big fights we're after. Once you're ranked in the top 10, you're eligible to fight for a world title. This is what we've been working toward."

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron.suttles@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.

<p>Judging by his talent alone, it was only a matter of time. That time is now.</p><p>Tuscaloosa heavyweight boxer Deontay "Bronze Bomber" Wilder broke into the top 10 of the World Boxing Association's heavyweight rankings, coming in at No. 9 in the organization's recently released monthly rankings.</p><p>Wilder's jump in the rankings is largely because of his third-round knockout win over previously unbeaten Kelvin Price for the WBC Continental Americans heavyweight title in December. Wilder is 27-0.</p><p>The 6-foot-7, 225-pounder's most recent win came in a knockout against Matthew Greer in the second round Jan. 19 in Mexico.</p><p>"Things are going according to plan, most definitely," Wilder said. "Coming in ranked No. 9 in the world is a big deal for me. It symbolizes success. Again, it symbolized growth in my career and where I'm going. The train is finally rolling. We've been waiting on this for a long time. </p><p>"The plan is to fight for a title this year. This ranking allows me to do that. If everything goes as we have planned, I'll be fighting for a title by the end of the year. Once you're in the top 10, you can declare war. The main thing is that we're in the door. We're definitely where we want to be at."</p><p>WBA Champion Wladimir Klitschko heads the rankings, and David Haye is the No. 1 contender. Luis Ortiz is No. 2, followed by Ruslan Chagaev, Denis Boytsov, Fres Oquendo, Jovo Pudar, Andrzej Wawrzyk, Johnathon Banks, Wilder and Magomed Abdusalamov.</p><p>Wilder said there are talks about a Showtime fight in the spring.</p><p>"I'm hoping for mid-March or early April," Wilder said. </p><p>Wilder co-trainer Jay Deas said it's an exciting time.</p><p>"It's just a continuation of what we've been working on since the beginning," Deas said. "It's not the end of the road, but it puts us in a position to get the big fights we're after. Once you're ranked in the top 10, you're eligible to fight for a world title. This is what we've been working toward."</p><p><i></p><p>Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron.suttles@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.</i></p>